Transformative Professional Development for Business

Daniel Goleman, author of Leadership that Gets Results, developed research that suggests the most effective executives use a collection of distinct leadership styles, each in the right measure, at just the right time. This adaptability is tough to put into practice, but pays off when executed. Best part, it can be learned.

I recently had the honor of learning about the top leadership KPIs from a session by Verne Harnish, Gazelles. Over the last four years I've also seen the impact of his principles here at The Center for Leadership and Development. and in surrounding businesses, through both personal and professional relationships. Recently, I heard Verne deliver a Leadership keynote at Microsoft Inspire, a worldwide celebration of new technology, ideas and leadership. 

The average age that companies train managers to lead is 42, which is about ten years after they begin supervising people. 95% of employers believe leadership development should begin by the age 21. This means that we begin to train leaders 21 years too late. WorkTrends found that companies that scored the highest in offering their employees training and development were 40% higher in employee engagement scores than those companies that scored the lowest in their T & D offerings. A 2014 University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School study in conjunction with the Human Capital Institute found that 85% of executives surveyed said there was an “urgent need to step up leadership development.” So how do we prepare our organization to build effective leaders?

Your leadership voice is a powerful tool that influences people’s perception, drives communication and helps you articulate your vision. Your voice punctuates your leadership style and directly affects your team’s faith in you. But what does possessing a strong leadership voice mean? And how can you cultivate yours?